In Episode 95 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Tracy are joined by Vickie and Wayne, two current guests of Matthew’s Hope. These are the Real Faces of Homelessness. As you observe Veterans Day this year, please take some time to listen to the story of Wayne, a Navy Seal and Army Ranger who served his country faithfully and is a purple heart recipient with shrapnel still lodged in his leg. Now, in their 70s, Wayne and his wife are without a home for the first time in their life after their landlord of nearly 10 years recently sold the house they were renting. The lack of affordable housing in our area has left them unable to find and qualify for a new place to call their own despite their strong work ethics. With the help of Matthew’s Hope, they are now connected with the VA and are beginning to receive benefits that they have been entitled to for decades. Their story is becoming much too common as baby boomers account for an increasing percentage of new, first-time homeless individuals in our area. As the demographics of homelessness shift, Matthew’s Hope is having to evolve and find new ways to assist their individuals and families. Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today. To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/ #homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida #veteransday #veteran #navyseal #armyranger #purplehearts TIMESTAMPS: 00:00-1:20 – Trailer 1:20-1:59 – Intros 2:00-2:37 – Affordable housing crisis in Florida 2:38- 4:30 – How a Navy SEAL and Army Ranger recently became homeless along with his wife 4:31-9:02 – Wayne’s military service, experience, awards and commendations including a purple heart 9:03-9:44 – Wayne’s career after the military and refusal to retire 9:45-11:31 – Trying to get Wayne and Vickie the benefits they deserve from the military 11:32-19:19 – Wayne and Vickie’s experience being homeless for the first time in their lives in their 70s 19:20-25:52 – How Matthew’s Hope is changing Wayne and Vickie’s lives 25:52-27:59 – “It can happen to anybody” so be careful before you judge 28:00-33:03 – How Matthew’s Hope is having to adapt their programs to fit the changing demographics of homelessness 33:04-36:30 – Wayne and Vickie’s goals moving forward 36:31-END – Closing thoughts

“There is no winner in this.” ~Pastor Scott In Episode 94 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Shelley discuss the impact that the current government shutdown is having on their ability to serve those experiencing homelessness in our area. While Matthew’s Hope does not rely heavily on tax-payer funding, many of the organizations they partner with do and that has a wide-ranging impact on them and the people they serve. They also discuss SNAP benefits and how the reality of those that rely on them often differs from the stereotypes. Plus, what rising health insurance costs will mean for those that need care the most. Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today. To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/ #homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

In Episode 93 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Tracy and Shelley are joined by David, a current guest of Matthew’s Hope. David is living in one of Matthew’s Hope’s transitional housing units while working his way through the Moving Forward Program. Hear how difficult it was for him to find and keep affordable housing despite being employed and having roommates. And learn what his goals are now as he works to build the foundation for the rest of his life. Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today. To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/ #homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

In Episode 92 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Shelley discuss some real-world examples of Toxic Charity. Hear why doing the wrong thing for the right reason is still the wrong thing. Most of us have had experiences in public where someone approaches and asks for a few dollars to help them out. Maybe at the red light, maybe walking into a store or maybe waiting for a bus. It can sometimes be difficult to balance empathy and not wanting to look through someone while also being careful not to enable a dangerous habit or possible fall victim to a scam. Pastor Scott and Shelley give advice for how to handle several common scenarios you may face. Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today. To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/ #homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

In Episode 91 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Tracy are joined by Ginger, the mother of Jacob who joined in the last episode to talk about his experience as a guest of Matthew’s Hope in the Moving Forward Program. Ginger gives her perspective of how her son became homeless in part due to addiction to alcohol and drugs. Hear how she made the decision that tough love was necessary in order to stop enabling Jacob. And finally, she shares the incredible transformation she has witnessed in her son since Matthew’s Hope came into his life. Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today. To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/ #homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

In Episode 90 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Tracy introduce you to another real face of homelessness, Jacob. You will hear about Jacob’s childhood, how he later spiraled into homelessness due to alcohol and drug use, and how Matthew’s Hope is now walking alongside him as he lays the foundation for a bright future. Jacob also shares how his mother supported him through some tough love and, in the next episode, his mother will be joining the podcast to share her perspective on this journey. Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today. To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/ #homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

“Just kill them.” ~Brian Kilmeade In Episode 89 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, Pastor Scott and Shelley react to some recent events that made national headlines including mass shootings at homeless encampments, the killing of Charlie Kirk and the suggest by Fox’s Brian Kilmeade that homeless individuals should be given “involuntary lethal injections.” Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today. To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/ #homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida

In Season 3 of Straight Talk, No B.S. with Matthew’s Hope, presented by Imagine Marketing, we have already covered a lot of ground. But there is much more to come! Each week, Pastor Scott, Shelley and guests share their experiences from operating a homeless outreach in Florida's Orange and Brevard Counties to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the homeless crisis in America today. Learn what services they offer, what they long-term goals are for their guests, and how current events and policies are shaping the future of the homeless population in our country. If you find this podcast interesting, we would encourage you to help us reach a broader audience by subscribing, “liking” and commenting on episodes. To learn more or to donate, visit: https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/ #homeless #homelessness #ministry #dignity #orangecounty #brevardcounty #crisis #homelessawareness #unhoused #florida